Committee approves ad hoc panel to study jail expansion, 4–1

The St. Croix County Public Protection Committee voted to form an ad hoc committee charged with reviewing the proposed jail expansion and reporting to the full board by May 2027.

County administrator Witt presented the resolution, saying "the ad hoc committee will be charged with looking at the jail project and reporting back by May 2027." Members debated membership and process before voting. One supervisor objected to the timing and to the proposed composition—saying the plan appeared to predesignate chairs of standing committees and risked prolonging the project; supporters replied the subcommittee's meetings would be public and any recommendation must come to the full board.

An amendment clarifying the chair‑substitution language in the resolution was proposed and adopted. The committee approved the final motion by voice vote; a tally reported during the meeting was 4 in favor and 1 opposed. Committee members noted the ad hoc panel itself would have no final decision‑making authority — recommendations would return to the full county board for any binding action.

Next steps: the ad hoc group is to be appointed by Chair Fiedler (or his designee) and complete its analysis by the May 2027 capital improvement planning cycle.